Sparks

Chapter 60

So, Delores thinks I have a crush on Jamie.

Which I don't, or at least I don't think I do.

I climb into the driver's seat, waving goodbye to Delores, and reverse into the street before driving the now-familiar route, my mind going partially on autopilot. I definitely do not have a crush on Jamie. She's... what are bad things about her? She's infuriating sometimes, with her way of looking at me sometimes that's so unbelievably intense, or the way she won't shut up until I tell her what's wrong. And she's... she's violent, no matter how romantic her offer to save me from Jacob and Carrie was. She's the very definition of chaotic good, I realize. She does what she thinks is right, and hasn't yet had to suffer the consequences to my knowledge. Jamie managed to murder eight people and cause a terrific explosion and not only did she not get caught, but the event didn't even end up on the news. She's stubborn, and snarky, and sarcastic, but somehow also genuinely caring to me? And she's just... I sigh.

She's not even my type. I used to think I liked - I mean, I like girls that are shorter than I am and calm and sweet, but... now, when I think about that kind of girl, about kissing or even dating that imaginary girl, my heart really isn't in it. But that can't be because of Jamie. My tastes have just changed.

Jamie, with all her scars and sharp words. What is it that she sees in me? I mean... she's really pretty, even though on anyone else that level of scarring would be called something rude. She's just still beautiful through all that, and then there are her eyes. One a standard brown that looks golden in sunlight, and the other so strikingly silver-white that it's as if someone laced it with steel. She's so very intense and so very beautiful that it's surprising she doesn't have admirers lined up out the door. But I'm not attracted to her, I assure myself, blushing. I'm just... stating facts.

I turn left on the highway and smile slightly. With how dark my life has gotten recently, Jamie's like a beam of light, figuratively and literally. Seeing her is always the highlight of my day. We've gotten to be good friends over the weeks.

Jacob and Carrie are going to try to make me kill her.

The thought makes the smile die on my face almost before it even started.

Those people. Those monsters that I trusted to take me away from my parents, to keep me safe. They're going to try and make me kill the one person I trust can protect me anymore. While I hate that I would have to be protected, the fact remains that I am at both a physical and mental disadvantage against them. Jamie, however, has no such handicap. Unless my 'mentors' have something unexpected up their sleeves, I am confident Jamie would win in a fight against them.

I pull into the driveway of the base and get out, the train of thought still bringing me a hopeful mood. Perhaps I'll make something interesting for dinner? Fettuccine alfredo sounds nice, we haven't had that in a month or so.

As soon as I'm in the door, Jacob's on me, grabbing my arm and pulling me upstairs. I protest, but he doesn't let go, so I allow myself to be content with being slightly sulky. He pulls me into the tech room. Carrie's in a folding chair next to the permanent desk chair at the console, tapping on a tablet-shaped device. Holograms rise from the screen and occasionally she interacts with them, executing basic commands.

"Great." Jacob claps his hands together. "Now that we're all here, it's time to talk plan. Now, Aryn, we all know that you won't even be remotely useful in this." I hang my head and scowl. "So you won't be doing very much. 'Kay?"

As soon as I realize he's waiting for a response, I nod.

"Alright. Now, we're going to follow the same basic plan as last time, since that worked. Except, this time, after Carrie tranquilizes it, we're going to go get you and you're going to shoot it."